Olney keep up the pressure at the top

Olney Ladies are just a point behind league leaders Bletchley after a bonus point victory over neighbours Wellingborough.

With just two games to go in Women’s NC Midlands 1, it’s still all to play for as Olney look to snatch the title at the death.

Olney received the kick-off which flanker Charlotte Brown collected and made a storming run which took play into the away sides half. Wellingborough defended well and appeared to have stopped the move short but a strong effort from the pack resurrected the momentum and hooker Clair Swallow was driven over for the opening score which Jen Miles just failed to convert.

Olney were dealing well with the kick-offs and made good ground from the re-start but once again found the Wellingborough defence strong. The home side had plenty of possession but Wellingborough profited from handling errors. Eventually a space opened up for winger Lucy Nicholls and she sped through the gap to touch down to give Olney a 10-0 lead which Miles’ conversion made 12-0.

Wellingborough were determined to fight back and some missed tackles gave them the opportunity to score. Jen Miles at 12 used her boot to take off the pressure and move Olney from defence to attack, enabling the team to score twice before the break - Charlotte Brown and Charlotte Armitage both touching down to take Olney 24-5 ahead.

The second half started well with front row Amanda Cornish hitting a great line and slicing through for a possible try of the season, converted by Miles. The final whistle brought a 31-5 bonus point win for Olney, leaving them just one point behind league leaders Bletchley.